How Does Double Strike and Deathtouch Work?
In the world of Magic: The Gathering, understanding the mechanics of Double Strike and Deathtouch is crucial for making informed decisions on the battlefield. In this article, we’ll delve into the intricacies of these two abilities and provide a comprehensive guide on how they work.
What is Double Strike?
Double Strike is an evergreen keyword ability that allows a creature to deal combat damage twice during the combat phase. This means that the creature will deal damage to the opponent once during the first combat damage step and again during the second combat damage step. Note that Double Strike only applies to combat damage, not to any other type of damage.
How Does Double Strike Work?
Here’s a breakdown of how Double Strike works:
- First Combat Damage Step: The creature with Double Strike deals combat damage to the opponent once, just like any other creature.
- Second Combat Damage Step: The creature with Double Strike deals combat damage to the opponent again, making it a unique opportunity to deal additional damage.
What Happens When a Creature with Double Strike is Blocked?
When a creature with Double Strike is blocked, it remains blocked even if the blocking creature dies to the first strike. This means that the creature with Double Strike will still deal damage to the opponent in the second combat damage step.
What is Deathtouch?
Deathtouch is a static ability that causes 1 point of damage from the source with Deathtouch to kill any creature it deals damage to (unless that creature is indestructible). This means that if a creature with Deathtouch deals 1 point of damage to a creature, that creature will immediately die.
How Does Deathtouch Work?
Here’s a breakdown of how Deathtouch works:
- Dealing Damage: When a creature with Deathtouch deals damage to a creature, it kills that creature (unless it’s indestructible).
- No Exceptions: Deathtouch doesn’t care about the toughness of the creature it’s dealing damage to. If the creature’s toughness is reduced to 0, it will still die.
- Only Applies to Creatures: Deathtouch only affects creatures, not other types of permanents like planeswalkers or artifacts.
Combining Double Strike and Deathtouch
When a creature has both Double Strike and Deathtouch, it becomes a formidable force on the battlefield. Here’s an example of how these abilities work together:
- Creature with Double Strike and Deathtouch: Deals combat damage to the opponent in the first combat damage step, killing a blocking creature.
- Second Combat Damage Step: Deals combat damage to the opponent again, potentially killing another creature or planeswalker.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about Double Strike and Deathtouch:
- Can a creature with Double Strike deal damage to a planeswalker?: No, Double Strike only applies to combat damage, not to any other type of damage.
- Can a creature with Deathtouch deal damage to a planeswalker?: No, Deathtouch only affects creatures, not planeswalkers.
- Can a creature with Double Strike and Deathtouch be blocked?: Yes, a creature with both abilities can be blocked, but it will still deal damage to the opponent in the second combat damage step.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Double Strike and Deathtouch are two powerful abilities that can greatly impact the outcome of a game. Understanding how they work can help you make informed decisions on the battlefield and improve your overall gameplay. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just starting out, mastering these abilities will help you become a more formidable opponent.
Table of Contents
- What is Double Strike?
- How Does Double Strike Work?
- What Happens When a Creature with Double Strike is Blocked?
- What is Deathtouch?
- How Does Deathtouch Work?
- Combining Double Strike and Deathtouch
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion